Select the
first letter of the dental term you are seeking to find a
definition.
A
Abrasion
Tooth wear caused by forces other than chewing such as holding
objects between the teeth or improper brushing.
Abutment
A tooth (or implant) that supports a dental prosthesis.
Alveolar bone
The part of the jaw that surround the roots of the teeth.
Alveolar process
The curving part of the jaw into which the teeth are rooted.
Alveolus
The socket in the alveolar bone into which the tooth’s root
fits.
Amalgam
An alloy used in direct dental restorations.
Analgesia
Loss of pain sensations without loss of consciousness.
Ankylosis
A condition where two hard tissues are fused together. When this
happens to a tooth and the alveolar bone, the tooth partially
erupts.
Anesthesia
General
Anesthesia: A controlled state of unconsciousness,
accompanied by a partial or complete loss of protective
reflexes, including loss of ability to independently
maintain airway and respond purposefully to physical
stimulation or verbal command, produced by a pharmacologic
or non-pharmacologic method or combination thereof;
Intravenous Sedation/Analgesia: A medically
controlled state of depressed consciousness while
maintaining the patient’s airway, protective reflexes and
the ability to respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It
includes intravenous administration of sedative and/or
analgesic agent(s) and appropriate monitoring.
Local
Anesthesia: The loss of pain sensation over a
specific area of the anatomy without loss of consciousness.
Non-Intravenous Conscious Sedation: A medically
controlled state of depressed consciousness while
maintaining the patient’s airway, protective reflexes and
the ability to respond to stimulation or verbal commands. It
includes administration of sedative and/or analgesic agent(s)
by a route other than IV; (PO, PR, Intranasal, IM) and
appropriate monitoring.
Regional Anesthesia:
A term used for local anesthesia. See
Local Anesthesia.
Apicoectomy
Removal of the tip of a tooth root.
B
Benign
The mild character of an illness or the non-malignant character
of a
neoplasm.
Bicuspid
A premolar tooth; a tooth with two cusps.
Bilateral
Occurring on, or pertaining to, both right and left sides.
Biopsy
Process of removing tissue for histologic evaluation.
Bitewing radiographs
X-rays used to reveal the crowns of several upper and lower
teeth as they bite down.
Bleaching
A cosmetic dental procedure that
whitens the teeth
using a bleaching solution.
Bonding
A composite resin applied to a tooth to change its shape and/or
color. Bonding also refers to how a filling, orthodontic
appliance or some fixed partial dentures are attached to teeth.
Bridge
See
Fixed Partial Denture
and/or
Removable Partial Denture.
Bruxism
Constant grinding or clenching of teeth during they day or while
asleep.
C
Calculus
Hard deposit of mineralized material adhering to crowns and/or
roots of teeth.
Canal
A relatively narrow tubular passage or channel
Root
Canal: Space inside the root portion of a tooth
containing pulp tissue.
Cariogenic
Promotes tooth decay.
Caries
Commonly used term for tooth decay.
Cavity
Decay in tooth caused by caries; also referred to as carious
lesion.
Cementum
Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root.
Cleft Lip
Birth defect in which one or more fissures form in the upper
lip, which takes place while the fetus is growing.
Cleft Palate
Congenital deformity resulting in lack of fusion of the soft
and/or hard palate, either partial or complete.
Clenching
The clamping and pressing of the jaws and teeth together in
centric occlusion, frequently associated with psychological
stress or physical effort.
Composite
A dental restorative material made up of disparate or separate
parts (e.g. resin and quartz particles).
Conscious Sedation
A state in which patients are awake and can breathe and swallow
on their own but are less aware of what is taking place.
Crown
Anatomical Crown: That portion of tooth normally
covered by, and including, enamel;
Abutment
Crown: Artificial crown serving for the retention
or support of a dental prosthesis;
Artificial Crown: Restoration covering or replacing
the major part, or the
whole of the clinical crown of a tooth;
Clinical
Crown: That portion of a tooth not covered by
supporting tissues.
Crown
Lengthening: A surgical procedure exposing more
tooth for restorative purposes by apically positioning the
gingival margin and/or removing supporting bone.
Cusp
The pointed portion of the tooth.
Cyst
Pathological cavity, usually lined with epithelium, containing
fluid or soft matter.
D
Debridement
Removing foreign matter or dead tissue.
Decay
The lay term for carious lesions in a tooth; decomposition of
tooth structure.
Dental Prophylaxis
Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal
plaque, calculus, and stains.
Dental Prosthesis
An artificial device that replaces one or more missing teeth.
Dental Specialist
A dentist who has received postgraduate training in one of the
recognized dental specialties.
Dentin
That part of the tooth that is beneath enamel and cementum.
Dentition
The teeth in the dental arch.
Denture
An artificial substitute for natural teeth and adjacent tissues.
Denture Base
The part of the denture that holds the artificial teeth and fits
over the gums.
Direct Restoration
A restoration fabricated inside the mouth.
Dry Mouth
See Xerostomia
Dry Socket
Localized inflammation of the tooth socket following extraction
due to infection or loss of blood clot; osteitis.
E
Edentulous
Toothless.
Enamel
Hard calcified tissue covering dentin of the crown of tooth.
Endodontist
A dental specialist who limits his/her practice to treating
disease and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular
conditions.
Erosion
Wearing down of tooth structure, caused by chemicals (acids).
Eruption
When a tooth emerges or pushes through the gums.
Evaluation
Periodic
Oral Evaluation: An evaluation performed on a
patient of record to determine any changes in the patient’s
dental and medical health status since a previous
comprehensive or periodic evaluation. This may require
interpretation of information acquired through additional
diagnostic procedures. Report additional diagnostic
procedures separately.
Limited
Oral Evaluation: Problem focused: an evaluation
limited to a specific oral health problem. This may require
interpretation of information acquired through additional
diagnostic procedures. Definitive procedures may be required
on the same date as the evaluation. Typically, patients
receiving this type of evaluation have been referred for a
specific problem and/or present with dental emergencies,
trauma, acute infection, etc.
Comprehensive Oral Evaluation: Typically used by a
general dentist and/or a specialist when evaluating a
patient comprehensively. It is a thorough evaluation and
recording of the extraoral and intraoral hard and soft
tissues. It may require interpretation of information
acquired through additional diagnostic procedures. This
would include the evaluation and recording of the patient’s
dental and medical history and a general health assessment.
It may typically include the evaluation and recording of
dental caries, missing or unerupted teeth, restorations,
occlusal relationships, periodontal conditions (including
periodontal charting), hard and soft tissue anomalies, etc.
Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation: Typically
includes evaluation of
periodontal conditions, probing and charting, evaluation and
recording of the
patient’s dental and medical history and general health
assessment. It may
include the evaluation and recording of dental caries,
missing or unerupted
teeth, restorations, occlusal relationships and oral cancer
screening.
Detailed
And Extensive Oral Evaluation—Problem-Focused, By Report:
A detailed and extensive problem-focused evaluation entails
extensive diagnostic and cognitive modalities based on the
findings of a comprehensive oral evaluation. Integration of
more extensive diagnostic modalities to develop a treatment
plan for a specific problem is required. The condition
requiring this type of evaluation should be described and
documented. Examples of conditions requiring this type of
evaluation may include dentofacial anomalies, complicated
perio-prosthetic conditions, complex temporomandibular
dysfunction, facial pain of unknown origin, severe systemic
diseases requiring multi-disciplinary consultation, etc.
Re-Evaluation—Limited, Problem Focused (established patient;
not post-operative visit): This includes assessing
the status of a previously existing condition. Examples of
conditions requiring this type of evaluation may include: A
traumatic injury where no treatment was rendered but the
patient needs follow-up monitoring; Evaluation for
undiagnosed continuing pain: A soft tissue lesion requiring
follow-up evaluation.
Excision
Surgical removal of bone or tissue.
Extraction
The process or act of removing a tooth or tooth parts.
F
Filling
A lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by
using materials such as metal, alloy, plastic or porcelain.
Fixed Appliances
Orthodontic devices, commonly known as braces, that are bonded
to the teeth to produce different tooth movements to help
reposition teeth for orthodontic therapy.
Fixed
Partial Denture
A fixed partial denture is a prosthetic replacement of one or
more missing teeth cemented or attached to the abutment teeth or
implant abutments adjacent to the space.
Fracture
The breaking of a part, especially of a bony structure; breaking
of a tooth.
Full-Mouth X-Rays
A combination of 14 or more periapical and 4 bitewing films of
the back teeth. This series of
x-rays reveals all the teeth (their crowns and roots) and the
alveolar bone around them.
G
General Anesthesia
A deep level of sedation in which patients lose consciousness,
feel no pain, and have no memory of what is taking place around
them.
Gingiva
Soft tissues overlying the crowns of unerupted teeth and
encircling the necks of those that have erupted.
Gingival Hyperplasia
An overgrowth of gingival tissues.
Gingivitis
Inflammation of gingival tissue without loss of connective
tissue.
Gingivectomy
The excision or removal of gingiva.
Gingivoplasty
Surgical procedure to reshape gingiva.
Graft
A piece of tissue or alloplastic material placed in contact with
tissue to repair a defect or supplement a deficiency.
Guided tissue regeneration (GTR)
Procedure during flap surgery for periodontal disease in which a
membrane is inserted between the alveolar bone and the bone
graft to encourage the gum tissues to grow onto the alveolar
bone.
H
Currently there are no terms listed alphabetically under this
letter.
I
Imaging, Diagnostic
This would include, but is not limited to, CAT scans, MRIs,
photographs, radiographs, etc.
Immediate Denture
Prosthesis constructed for placement immediately after removal
of remaining natural teeth.
Impacted Tooth
An unerupted or partially erupted tooth that is positioned
against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue so that complete
eruption is unlikely.
Implant
Material inserted or grafted into tissue.
Implantation, Tooth
Placement of an artificial or natural tooth into an alveolus.
Inlay
An indirect intracoronal restoration; a dental restoration made
outside of the oral cavity to correspond to the form of the
prepared cavity, which is then luted into the tooth.
Interproximal
Between the teeth.
Intraoral
Inside the mouth.
Intravenous Sedation
Medications used intravenously (through the bloodstream) to
produce varying levels of sedation.
J
Jaw
A common name for either the maxilla or the mandible.
K
Currently there are no terms listed alphabetically under this
letter.
L
Labial
Pertaining to or around the lip.
Lesion
An injury or wound; area of diseased tissue.
Lingual
Pertaining to or around the tongue; surface of the tooth
directed toward the tongue; opposite of facial.
M
Maintenance, Periodontal
Therapy for preserving the state of health of the periodontium.
Malignant
Having the properties of dysplasia, invasion, and metastasis.
Malocclusion
Improper alignment of biting or chewing surfaces of upper and
lower teeth.
Maryland Bridge
A type of fixed partial denture not requiring crowns. The
prosthesis is bonded to the natural teeth to secure it.
Maxilla
The upper jaw.
Molar
Teeth posterior to the premolars (bicuspids) on either side of
the jaw; grinding teeth, having large crowns and broad chewing
surfaces.
Mouthguard
Device that fits over the teeth to prevent injury to the teeth,
mouth or lips. May also refer to a device that prevents tooth
grinding or treats temporomandibular disorders.
Mucous Membrane
Lining of the oral cavity as well as other canals and cavities
of the body; also called “mucosa.”
N
Currently there are no terms listed alphabetically under this
letter.
O
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
A disorder in which breathing stops for short periods of time
during sleep.
Occlusal
Pertaining to the biting surfaces of the premolar and molar
teeth or contacting surfaces of opposing teeth or opposing
occlusion rims.
Occlusion
Any contact between biting or chewing surfaces of maxillary
(upper) and mandibular (lower) teeth.
Onlay
An indirect restoration made outside the oral cavity that
overlays a cusp or cusps of the tooth, which is then luted to
the tooth.
Oral
Pertaining to the mouth.
Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the diagnosis,
surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries,
deformities, defects and esthetic aspects of the oral and
maxillofacial regions.
Oral Mucosa
The pink-red tissues that line the mouth.
Orthodontist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the
interception and treatment of malocclusion of the teeth and
their surrounding structures.
Orthognathic Surgery
Surgery performed to correct facial imbalances caused by
abnormalities of the jaw bones.
Osseointegration
The process by which bone heals around an implant.
Osteoplasty
Surgical procedure that modifies the configuration of bone.
Osteotomy
Surgical cutting of bone.
Overdenture
A removable prosthetic device that overlies and may be supported
by retained tooth roots or implants.
P
Palate
The hard and soft tissues forming the roof of the mouth that
separates the oral and nasal cavities.
Palliative
Action that relieves pain but is not curative.
Partial Denture
Usually refers to a prosthetic device that replaces missing
teeth; see
Fixed Partial Denture
or
Removable Partial Denture.
Parotid Glands
Major salivary glands located in front of and below the ears.
Patient
An individual who has established a professional relationship
with a dentist for the delivery of dental health care. For
matters relating to communication of information and consent,
this term includes the patient’s parent, caretaker, guardian, or
other individual as appropriate under state law and the
circumstances of the case.
Pediatric Dentist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to treatment of
children from birth through adolescence; formerly known as a
pedodontist.
Pedodontist
See
Pediatric Dentist.
Pellicle
A thin nonbacterial film from saliva that covers the teeth.
Periapical X-Ray
An x-ray that shows several entire teeth (crowns and roots) and
includes a small amount of the periapical bone (surrounding the
root tips).
Periodontal
Pertaining to the supporting and surrounding tissues of the
teeth.
Periodontal Abscess
An infection in the gum pocket that can destroy hard and soft
tissues.
Periodontal Disease
Inflammatory process of the gingival tissues and/or periodontal
membrane of the teeth, resulting in an abnormally deep gingival
sulcus, possibly producing periodontal pockets and loss of
supporting alveolar bone.
Periodontal Pocket
Pathologically deepened gingival sulcus; a feature of
periodontal disease.
Periodontist
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the treatment
of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the
teeth.
Periodontitis
Inflammation and loss of the connective tissue of the supporting
or surrounding structure of teeth with loss of attachment.
Plaque
A soft sticky substance that accumulates on teeth composed
largely of bacteria and bacterial derivatives.
Post
An elongated projection fitted and cemented within the prepared
root canal, serving to strengthen and retain restorative
material and/or a crown restoration.
Posterior
Refers to teeth and tissues towards the back of the mouth
(distal to the canines): maxillary and mandibular premolars and
molars.
Precision Attachment
Interlocking device, one component of which is fixed to an
abutment or abutments and the other is integrated into a fixed
or removable prosthesis in order to stabilize and/or retain it.
Premedication
The use of medications prior to dental procedures.
Prophylaxis
Scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal
plaque, calculus and stains.
Prosthesis
Artificial replacement of any part of the body.
Prosthodontis
A dental specialist whose practice is limited to the restoration
of the natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth
with artificial substitutes.
Pulp
Connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue
which occupies the pulp cavity of a tooth.
Pulp Cavity
The space within a tooth which contains the pulp.
Pulpectomy
Complete removal of vital and non vital pulp tissue from the
root canal space.
Pulpotomy
Surgical removal of a portion of the pulp with the aim of
maintaining the vitality of the remaining portion by means of an
adequate dressing; pulp amputation.
Q
Currently there are
no terms listed alphabetically under this letter.
R
Radiograph
An image produced by projecting radiation, as x-rays, on
photographic film. Commonly called x-ray.
Ranula
A cyst that can develop under the tongue on the floor of the
mouth.
Rebase
To replace the denture base.
Reline
To resurface the side of the denture that is in contact with the
soft tissues of the mouth to make it fit more securely.
Removable Appliance
Removable orthodontic appliances used to effect simple tipping
movements of one tooth or several.
Removable Partial Denture
A removable partial denture (removable bridge) is a prosthetic
replacement of one or more missing teeth that can be removed by
the patient.
Resorb
To dissolve.
Retainer
-
Orthodontic Retainer: Appliance to stabilize teeth
following orthodontic
treatment.
-
Prosthodontic Retainer: A part of a fixed partial
denture that attaches a
pontic to the abutment tooth, implant abutment, or implant.
Root
The anatomic portion of the tooth that is covered by cementum
and is located in the alveolus (socket) where it is attached by
the periodontal apparatus; radicular portion of tooth.
Root Canal
The portion of the pulp cavity inside the root of a tooth; the
chamber within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp.
Root Canal Therapy
The treatment of disease and injuries of the pulp and associated
periradicular conditions.
Root Caries
Tooth decay that forms on the roots.
Root Planing
A procedure designed to remove microbial flora, bacterial
toxins, calculus, and diseased cementum or dentin on the root
surfaces and in the pocket.
S
Scaling
Removal of plaque, calculus, and stain from teeth.
Sealants
Plastic resin placed on the biting surfaces of molars to prevent
bacteria from attacking the enamel and causing caries.
Sjogren’s Syndrome
An autoimmune disorder (mostly affecting older women) that is
characterized by partial or complete cessation of saliva and
tears. It can be associated with rheumatic disease, such as
rheumatic arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma.
Splint
A device used to support, protect, or immobilize oral structures
that have been loosened, replanted, fractured or traumatized.
Also refers to devices used in the treatment of
temporomandibular joint disorders.
Stomatitis
Inflammation of the membranes in the mouth.
Sublingual Glands
Major salivary glands located in the mucosa on the floor of the
mouth.
Submandibular Glands
Walnut-sized major salivary glands located beneath the tongue.
Suture
Stitch used to repair incision or wound.
T
Temporary Removable Denture
An interim prosthesis designed for use over limited period of
time.
Temporomandibular (TMJ)
The connecting hinge mechanism between the base of the skull
(temporal bone) and the lower jaw (mandible).
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Abnormal functioning of temporomandibular joint; also refers to
symptoms arising in other areas secondary to the dysfunction.
Torus
A bony elevation or protuberance of bone.
U
Unerupted
Tooth/teeth that have not penetrated into the oral cavity
V
Veneer
In the construction of crowns or pontics, a layer of
tooth-colored material, usually, but not limited to, composite,
porcelain, ceramic or acrylic resin, attached to the surface by
direct fusion, cementation, or mechanical retention; also refers
to a restoration that is luted to the facial surface of a tooth.
W
Currently there are no terms listed alphabetically under this
letter.
X
Xerostomia
Decreased salivary secretion that produces a dry and sometimes
burning sensation of the oral mucosa and/or cervical caries.
X-Ray
Radiograph.
Y
Currently there are no terms listed alphabetically under this
letter.
Z
Currently there are
no terms listed alphabetically under this letter.
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